UConn Football Unveils 2026 Home Schedule: A New Era Begins at The Rent
STORRS, CT - A new chapter begins for UConn football in 2026, and fans won't have to wait long to get a glimpse of it. With seven home games locked in at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, the Huskies are set to kick off the Jason Candle era with a diverse and intriguing slate that brings a mix of regional rivalries, Power Five opponents, and rising Group of Five programs to East Hartford.
Season tickets are officially on sale, and returning fans from 2025 can still renew their seats. But more than just a ticket, this year’s home schedule offers a front-row seat to a team looking to build momentum under new leadership.
A Familiar FCS Tune-Up to Start
The 2026 campaign opens on Saturday, September 5, when UConn hosts Lafayette from the Patriot League. It's a rare matchup - only the second time these two programs have met, with the first dating all the way back to 1984, when Lafayette edged UConn 20-13.
Since moving up to the FBS ranks in 2002, UConn has consistently scheduled at least one FCS opponent per season - and they’ve handled business, going 22-2 in those matchups. This opener should serve as a measuring stick for Candle’s system in its debut, providing a chance to establish rhythm before the schedule ramps up.
Big Ten Test in Week Two
Things get serious in a hurry as the Maryland Terrapins come to town on September 12. The Huskies and Terps last squared off in 2024, but this will be Maryland’s first visit to The Rent since 2013. It’s a chance for UConn to test itself against a Big Ten opponent early in the season - and potentially make a statement under the new regime.
ACC Double-Dip: Syracuse and UNC Return to East Hartford
Circle October 3 and November 7 on the calendar - two ACC programs are making their way to East Hartford.
First up is Syracuse, a familiar foe. The Orange have made six previous trips to The Rent, and UConn holds a 4-2 edge in those home contests. This regional rivalry always brings a little extra juice, and with both programs looking to climb the ladder in their respective trajectories, this one could carry more than just bragging rights.
Then comes North Carolina on November 7 - a rematch of the 2024 Wasabi Fenway Bowl, where UConn notched a 28-14 win. That victory was one of the program’s most high-profile in recent years, and now the Tar Heels will make their first visit to UConn since 2009. Expect a fired-up crowd and a motivated Huskies squad looking to prove that bowl win was no fluke.
UMass Rivalry Renewed
On October 24, UConn welcomes UMass for a matchup that’s as balanced as it gets - the all-time series is tied 38-38-2. Since both programs entered the FBS era, UConn has taken five of the seven meetings, including the last three in a row. The Huskies are 2-1 against the Minutemen at home during that stretch, and with the series deadlocked historically, this one carries a little extra weight.
Sun Belt Showdowns to Close the Year
The final stretch of the season brings two intriguing Sun Belt opponents to The Rent, starting with James Madison on November 14. The Dukes made noise in 2025 as a College Football Playoff team, and their visit marks just the second FBS-era meeting between the two programs. It’s also JMU’s first-ever trip to East Hartford - and a chance for UConn to measure itself against a fast-rising Group of Five power.
The home slate wraps up on November 21 with Senior Day against Old Dominion - a first-time opponent for UConn. It’s the kind of late-season matchup that could carry bowl implications, especially if the Huskies are in the thick of postseason contention.
What’s at Stake in 2026
With a new head coach at the helm and a home schedule loaded with variety - from FCS to Big Ten, ACC to Sun Belt - the 2026 season offers UConn fans a little bit of everything. It’s a critical year for a program looking to redefine its identity, and The Rent will be the heartbeat of that transformation.
Seven home games. A new era. And plenty of opportunities to make noise.
Let the Candle era begin.